Ohio Groups Declare “Week of the Woman” during National Women’s History Month

February 7, 2012

(Columbus, OH)-- Women for Economic and Leadership Development (WELD), Otterbein University, YWCA Columbus, United Way of Central Ohio and The Woman’s Book have partnered to celebrate “Week of the Woman” during the week of March 6 to create events that are powerful platforms to highlight, promote and discuss issues and opportunities for women. The week is held during national Women’s History Month.

The groups are cross-promoting their events as “Week of the Woman” to increase awareness of issues affecting women and encourage community dialogue on how to address them.

WELD is hosting its 2012 WELD Keynote on Tuesday, March 6, at the Hyatt Regency Columbus, 350 N. High St. The event starts with networking at 5:30 p.m., followed by the keynote dinner at 6:30 p.m. WELD’s Keynote event will feature Patricia Sellers, Editor-at-Large for FORTUNE magazine. Every year since its launch in 1998, Sellers has been FORTUNE’s point editorial person on its annual “Most Powerful Women in Business” package. Mark Kvamme, interim chief investment officer and president of JobsOhio, will provide a special introduction of Sellers and Colleen Marshall, anchor at NBC4, will emcee the event. Reservations are required.

WELD’s Keynote will also announce the results of the Central Ohio Leadership Census (COLC), a joint project of WELD, Otterbein University and The Institute on Women. The project’s goals are to establish an annual accounting of women’s participation in key leadership positions in the central Ohio community and to encourage increased inclusion of women in top leadership and in the economic development initiatives for the greater Columbus area.

The Columbus Metropolitan Club will present a luncheon forum recognizing the United Way of Central Ohio’s “Capital Women of Distinction” honorees and discussing the topic of the lifelong leadership the honorees have contributed to our community on Thursday, March 8, at the Athletic Club of Columbus, 136 E. Broad St. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m., with lunch served at 12:00 p.m. and the program concluding at 1:15 p.m. At the CMC forum, Fred Andrle, former host of WOSU’s Open Line, will interview several of the honorees. This forum is open to CMC members and the general public. Reservations are required.

Otterbein University will host Opportunity Nation, “Women and the New American Dream,” on its campus in Westerville on Friday and Saturday, March 9 and 10. Otterbein has been selected as one of 12 colleges and universities in 2012 to engage colleagues in regional dialogues about the role of higher education in creating new pathways to prosperity. Otterbein’s summit will focus on pathways for women’s economic mobility.

Jo Luck, former CEO and president of Heifer International who currently serving on multiple boards and advisory committees addressing issues of hunger, poverty and improved agricultural methods for small farmers, will give the keynote address at 7:00 p.m. on March 9 in Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., Westerville.

Shirley Sagawa, a national expert on children's policy and philanthropy in the United States, will be one of the featured speakers on March 10. Kerrii Anderson, former CEO and president of Wendy's International, Inc., with a strong record of leadership in operations and strategy, has been tapped as the honorary chair of the event. Advanced registration is required.

TaKeysha Sheppard Cheney, publisher of The Women’s Book, will serve as the media spokesperson for “Week of the Woman.” All four events are powerful platforms to highlight, promote and discuss issues and opportunities for women.